A clinical study found that about half of heavy cannabis users experience marijuana withdrawal symptoms. According to the research, the chance of having withdrawal symptoms increases when you consume marijuana daily, use both cannabis and tobacco, or have other substance use disorders.
While marijuana withdrawal doesn’t have significant adverse effects and isn’t nearly as severe as withdrawal from alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, it can still be an uncomfortable experience that lasts days or weeks.
Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms
If you only occasionally consume cannabis products or haven’t been taking them very long, you might not have any withdrawal symptoms at all if you quit cold turkey. However, long-term, frequent cannabis users have a greater chance of experiencing the mild effects of marijuana withdrawal.
The most common symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include:
- Sleep problems
- Anxiety
- Depressed mood
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
The following are a few less common side effects:
- Sweating
- Chills
- Headache
- Stomach pain
How Long Does Marijuana Withdrawal Last?
Everyone experiences marijuana withdrawal symptoms differently, meaning one person could feel side effects for more than two weeks, while another person might feel fine after a few days. The duration mostly depends on your level of cannabis use.
When you regularly consume THC, your body becomes accustomed to higher levels of THC and other cannabinoids, causing desensitization. If you suddenly stop, your brain has to adapt to the absence of cannabinoids, causing marijuana withdrawal symptoms.
After stopping or reducing your cannabis intake, a typical marijuana withdrawal progression might look like the following:
- 24 to 48 hours: Withdrawal symptoms begin.
- Two to six days: Symptoms peak and start to decline.
- Three weeks: Symptoms start to go away.
If a physician has diagnosed you with cannabis use disorder, where you heavily depend on using marijuana, you might experience a longer cannabis withdrawal combined with more severe cravings. On the other hand, if you don’t frequently consume marijuana, you might have no withdrawal symptoms or only a few mild side effects.
Can You Prevent Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms?
If you expect to have a difficult time when stopping your cannabis use, you might want to talk to your doctor about developing a plan that will reduce your struggles during withdrawal. For example, your healthcare provider might suggest taking cannabis products that primarily contain CBD, which can reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Your doctor can also prescribe short-term medications to relieve the side effects that trouble you most, such as a sleeping aid for insomnia or mood stabilizers for depression.
You might also like: “Is Marijuana a Depressant?”
Tips for Managing Marijuana Withdrawal
If cannabis use is starting to have a negative effect on your social life or physical and mental health, a break from consuming marijuana can help you get back on track. However, it can be difficult to commit to quitting cannabis when you get cravings, can’t sleep, or feel anxious.
To make the process easier, you can take some steps to minimize the symptoms you experience during withdrawal, such as:
- Drink lots of water to stay hydrated
- Eat healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, and proteins
- Exercise and keep active
Learn More About THC and CBD Products at Cannabis and Glass
Whether you want to ask about marijuana withdrawal symptoms or browse our extensive inventory of cannabis products, come visit us at a Cannabis and Glass store near you!
Check out our online dispensary menus in Spokane, Spokane Valley, and Liberty Lake, WA, where we offer marijuana edibles, flower, vape cartridges, and more.
